The Glory of God, the Paradise of God

Yesterday I read about the Glory of God, yesterday Satan worked overtime to cause friction between Jimmy and me. Yesterday ended, thank God, with Satan on the losing end.

I read John 11: 1-44. It is about Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, who died and was brought back to life. In verse 40, Jesus says to Martha, "Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?"

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Through Him we can have eternal life. Jesus could have restored Lazarus to good health while he was still alive. But many of Jesus' actions are for us to know and believe and accept and trust that He is the Son of God, that He was sent by God. Lazarus' resurrection from death proved that point. It demonstrated (beyond any shadow of doubt) the glory of God even more than restoration from a sick bed.

There were and there are so many who point fingers, who do not believe, who do not comprehend all that He is and does, now, in time past and in time to come.

You pray. Mary and Martha prayed. But Jesus had something else in mind.
It doesn't mean God is absent when He doesn't answer our prayers. His plans are not our plans. His intentions are not our intentions. He knows more than we will ever know. He knows ALL.


Who are we to become angry and resentful at God for our preconceived thoughts of what we think He should do?

God's presence is everywhere. If He's not where you can feel Him, perhaps you are not doing your part.

Death is only an interlude between life on earth and life in heaven ... or life in hell.

You stand at the portal. What do you choose - life with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to earth to die for our sins, to renew us to righteousness, or life with Satan, a fallen angel, who came to earth to deceive us for his gain alone...

Today I considered Paradise.

Where indeed is that
Is it some Hawaiian island
Some quiet spot off the road near a pond, a good fishing hole perhaps.
Where is Paradise?
What is Paradise
What will we have when we get there
A place of rest
Perhaps Paradise can be found in the deep recesses of our mind
To a place we grew up surrounded by happy thoughts, happy memories.
Or perhaps we think we are living in Paradise
-- would that be like seeing the world around us through rose-colored glasses?

Jesus spoke of Paradise.
In Luke 23, hanging on a cross between two thieves -- one denounced the Lord, the other asked
to be remembered. And Jesus says to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise." (verse 43)

The apostle Paul spoke of Paradise.
In 2 Corinthians 12, he shares his visions and revelations (perhaps at the time of his stoning), "how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (verse 4)

And John also spoke of Paradise.
In Revelation, during the time of his exile on the island of Patmos, he shares prophecies of God. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." (Chapter 2, verse 7)

Paradise.
It is where God abides. Where He lives. Where His kingdom is. Where His children go.

Paradise is Heaven. And Heaven is Paradise.

What about you? Are you a future resident of Paradise?
Or are you uncertain of where to go, what to do, are you questioning your existence, are you fearful, have you been duped, are you being deceived into believing the best is what you have now, where you are now ... Nothing more.

But there is more. There is Jesus. We must look to Him, stay focused on Him, believe in Him, accept Him, trust Him, obey Him, for us to gain entrance to the heavenly realms of Paradise.

Temptation is all around us

Thought for the Day: "For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world." (1 John 2: 16)

In Mark 1: 9-13 it is recorded that Jesus was baptized with water by John in the Jordan River. When he arose from the water, Jesus saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descend upon Him like a dove. God the Father says, 'You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' The Spirit then leads Jesus to the wilderness, where He fasted 40 days and 40 nights before being tempted by Satan.

"For in that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2: 18)

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4: 15)

Temptation comes from Satan, our battles within. Mine comes from eating, not necessarily overeating, but eating those things which are not necessarily good for my body. God Himself does not tempt us. God the Father nor God the Son has anything to prove to Satan nor to us. Satan is out to prove Jesus is not sinless, not worthy. God's purpose for allowing Satan to tempt His son was to prove otherwise, and it was so.

"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (lured). Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (sorrow, mourning, great loss)." (James 1: 13-15)

Temptation comes in many forms -- it is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, all that is in and of the world. Lust - what is lust? It is an obsessive craving, a desire for what is forbidden, that which is contrary to God's will. Such as unrestrained sexual desires for men and women in heterosexual and homosexual relationships, masturbation, fornication, money, power, power, pleasure, alcoholism, drug addictions, pornography, possessions, eating disorders, abusive relationships. In connection with this, I came across an article on Lifeway about the temptations young people may face as they step from high school to college and beyond. Read Off to College: 10 Strategies for Beating Temptations.

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10: 13)

God tests us to bring us in closer fellowship with Him, but He never tempts us. When God tests us it is to produce patience, endurance.

"And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." (Matthew 6: 13)

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(Matthew 26: 41)

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please, I pray, keep the devil from gaining a foothold into my mind and causing me to give in to forbidden desires. Please help me be obedient to Your will, not mine. In your name I pray. Amen.

Satan's plan erodes, entraps

God does not bring the fear that erodes our minds, entraps us. That is Satan's dominion. With God there is trust.

Why would you even consider trusting Satan -- He is not about bringing joy to your life or to those around you. His plan for you is destruction. His ideal is to play upon your desires, make promises he will not keep, anything to gain control of you so you will do his bidding. His bidding is all that is evil -- "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19)

Satan pretends he is looking out for your welfare, but he is not. He looks out only for himself. His goal is to conquer you, take total control of your soul, steer you along an ever widening road that leads every which way yet nowhere.

Our temptations are not a result of God's desire for us, but rather our own desires getting the best of us. Take for example my singular desire for chocolate, be it peanut or plain M & Ms, Reese's peanut butter, Snicker bars, Hershey bars and kisses or even the dark chocolate I'll succumb to on occasion -- it becomes an overwhelming obsession. I must have a quarter or two or more to get candy from the vending machine at work. I need it.

God says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 -- "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Well, this temptation is certainly common. But if God thinks I won't be tempted beyond what I'm able His thinking is far superior to mine. I have yet to overcome the temptation, especially at work, especially under stress. And, if there is a way of escape, that too eludes me. Everywhere there is something to put in my mouth.

Somehow, I must come to a realization that my desire to please God is above and beyond my desire to please myself.

There are other temptations we are faced with daily that involve our speech, our actions.

God tells us to "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (James 1:19)

Satan says to speak our mind.

We are to be careful what we say, careful in how we say what we say. We are to "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1: 21-22)

God's commandments are just as relevant today as in Old Testament days.
The Do Not's are nothing to be trifled with. They include

Do Not bow down to other gods
Do Not murder
Do Not commit adultery
Do Not lie
Do Not be impatient
Do Not grumble against another person
Do Not lust after another person or possession
Do Not show partiality
Do Not consider yourself better than aother
Do Not boast
Do Not be envious
Do Not speak evil of another
Do Not judge falsely

"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin." (James 2: 8-9)

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3: 6)

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there." (James 3: 13-16)

"... Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4: 4, 7-8, 10)

Satan's ploys are no match for the Savor's power

Satan's ploys are no match for the Savior's power.

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2: 3)

That is to say build up one another, but in so doing, don't get caught up into thinking you are worthless. For we are not. We are not to tear ourselves down. In the eyes of God, each and every human being has value. He cares for you and me.

"Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion." (Romans 12: 16)

Do not follow the path that takes you away from God and toward Satan. ... the path that distracts you from what you know is true and right and ultimately leads to destruction. ... the path of thinking and acting upon your own advice and has no regard for the things of God.

"Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans15: 5-6)

God is so patient with us, continually working to show us the way. We are not so patient ... not with others, not with ourselves, not with God. We want what we want now.

"... having compassion (be sympathetic) for one another; ... be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil ... but on the contrary, blessing, ..." (1 Peter 3: 8)

Where is our compassion for others? When are we tender, courteous? Is it only for select individuals? God is not so choosy. All have value in His eyes. We are to be a blessing to all, to give what the Lord gives. Judgment is not for us to give ... we must leave that to a higher power, God will judge.

"He who would love life and see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking guile (deceit);
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And his ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3: 10-12)

Satan strives to take the joy out of living for the Lord. His whole goal is to destroy.

"Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, ... that your prayers may not be hindered." (1 Peter 3: 7)

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church ... So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ... Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wive see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5: 25, 28-29, 33)

Praise defeats the devil quicker than any other battle plan, but it must be genuine heart praise, not just lip service.

Must have a personal relationship with Jesus for the spiritual weapons of praise and prayer to work.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, ... but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8: 5)

Joyce Meyer, author of "Battlefield of the Mind," says if we think fleshly or worldly thoughts, wrong thoughts, negative thoughts, we cannot walk in the Spirit. Our life will not get straightened out until our mind does.

We must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to even begin to be able to overcome our negative views.

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit."

The tree is you and me. The fruit is what we are known for, our works, bad or good, works of the flesh, or of the Spirit.
We have to choose to think good thoughts, pleasing thoughts. We have to keep going, not give up.

Acceptance, believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again is the first step in your personal walk with Him.

"The renewing of your mind will take place little by little, so don't be discouraged if progress seems slow," Meyer noted.

When you have setbacks, or bad days, don't allow yourself to withdraw into negative thinking. Must stay on course. Think positive. God loves you. Don't allow others to discourage you. Think "I am above this. I will not allow your negative thoughts and comments to become mine. I will not be drawn down to your level." Positive breeds positive. Good, positive thoughts bring promise, faith and hope for a better tomorrow. Bad, negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt. When we have a negative outlook, our thoughts are negative, our words coming out of our mouths are negative, our life is negative. We must turn around and begin to think positive about our life.

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23: 7)

When we don't get what we want, we go into pity-mode and negative attitude. We need to get away from that, need to stop complaining, stop murmuring, stop finding fault with everything and everyone, including yourself.

If you truly desire to change from being negative-minded, believe God will change you as you trust Him. Must trust, must listen to the Lord, study His word, immerse yourself in His word, meditate on what you know is true and right. Not what you think or believe about yourself, but what God knows about you. He loves you. He has a purpose for you.

He who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by God.

Who do you listen to?

Must wait upon the Lord
for all we do.

Do as the Lord bids
Do not eat sweets
Do not
Do not
Do not

and Satan says
Go ahead
Eat it.

Listen to the Lord
Oh yes
Listen to the Lord
Only He knows
He knows you
Don't you want to
Know Him
Don't you want
to be whole

and Satan says
Go ahead
Eat it.

Too much of even a good thing
can make you sick.
Do you want to be sick
Do you want to spend
your days in misery
wearing the path thin
between the bedroom and the bathroom?

Do not give in.
Listen to me
I have your best interest
at heart the Lord says

and still, there is
Satan, saying
Go ahead. Eat it.

Who do you listen to?

Only 1 way

There is only 1 way into heaven ... and that is through Jesus Christ.

Those who think and tell others there are many ways are lying. They are Satan's workers. Only Satan would have you believe no matter what you do or how you live, you will go to heaven when you die. Everyone will go there. Hell exists only on earth. Satan will tell you, IF God loves you, why would he sentence you to hell?

Your choice, your choice.
It's what you choose.

Jesus is the way ... the only way.

Do not compromise your faith to please one of Satan's workers, to please the world.

Satan is a fallen angel. He wanted all that God had. He wanted to be God. He was sentenced to damnation.

Human beings, God's creation, were given choices. Follow and obey the Lord or do Satan's bidding.

It's our choice. Don't ride the fence, travel down the middle of the road. Follow Jesus the Lord.

... or don't. Reap the consequences of your actions.